Freiburg the solar city

41 images Created 22 Jan 2009

Freiburg is located at the heart of the warmest and sunniest region of Germany, yet it takes more than just this to make it into a solar city. The Freiburg energy supply concept focuses on:
o energy saving projects
o use of renewable energy sources
o application of innovative energy technologies
o extension of on-site and remote district-heating systems
In June 1992, the Freiburg city council adopted a resolution to the effect that it would only permit construction of "low energy buildings" on municipal land. All new housing must comply with the low energy guidelines. Low energy housing uses solar power passively as well as actively. In addition to solar panels and collectors on the roof, providing electricity and hot water, many passive features use the sun's energy to regulate the temperature of the rooms.
Water heating technologies are usually referred to as active solar technologies, whereas other technologies, such as space heating or cooling, which passively absorb the energy of the sun and have no moving components, are referred to as passive solar technologies. Solar passive houses built to the very latest standards require only one fifth as much thermal energy as conventional buildings.
The whole city is involved in Freiburg's solar policy. Many private companies and public facilities make their roofs available for solar modules. The people of Freiburg buy shares in the panels and are reimbursed when the power is sold to the city electricity scheme.